18G8.J 225 
Spathegaster, Hart., in Germ. Zeits. 2, 194 ; Tasch. Hym. 123. 
This genua differs from Nexiroterus in having the maxillary palpi 
6-, and the labial 3-jointed (which in Neuroterus are respectively 4- and 
2-jointed), and from Trigonaspis in having the disc of the mesothorax 
sub -coriaceous instead of glabrous, the labial palpi withovit apical 
appendages, and 3- instead of 2-jointed (cf. p. 125 of this vol., N. 
Malpighii). The length of the petiole in the ^ Spathegasier is also a 
good distinctive character. 
Spathegaster haccarum, Linn. 
Black, shining ; abdomen glabrous, the rest of the body covered 
with fine irregular strise and punctures ; the elevated portions of the 
thorax and scutellum nearly glabrous. Antenna? fuscous, straw-coloured 
at the base. Ocelli red. Wings very ample, sub-hyaline, pubescent, 
having the same nervures as Neuroterus Malpighii, suffused with brown 
and incrassated, but more deeply, and the radial vein more distinct. 
Legs straw-coloured ; coxae at the base, and tips of the tarsi, blackish. 
^ $ . Long. 1 — \\ ; alar. exp. 4 — 4|^ lin. 
The synonymy of this species appears to be as follows : — 
Cynips quercus-haccarum, Lin., F. S., 1522 ; Fab., S.E., 2, 101 ; 
Piez., 144 ; not of Cuv., R. An. Ins., pi. 113, f. 3, nor ? 
Fonscol., Ann. Sc. Nat., 26, p. 197. 
Cynips quercus-pedunculi, Lin., F. S., 1524 ; Fab., S. E., 2, 102 ; 
Curt., in Gard. Chron., 1844, p. 499, fig. with gall; 
Westw., in Loudon's Arboret. Brit., vol. 3, p. 1824 ; etc. 
Cynips interruptrix. Hart., in Germ. Zeits., 2, 207 (gall only). 
Spathegaster interruptor, Hart., in Germ. Zeits, 3, 341. 
Figures of the gall are also to be found in Malpighi, pi. 16, f. 56, 
and Eeaumur, Ins., vol. 3, pi. 40, f. 1 — 6. The gall is of two kinds, one 
the globose, pellucid pea-gaU found on the under-side of oak-leaves 
(Q. haccarum), the other occurring on the male flowers of the oak, in 
clusters, which " resemble in form, size, and colour, bunches of the 
champagne currant. Oaks are sometimes covered with them as thickly 
as currant-bushes with their fruit. They once occurred at Coombe 
Wood in profusion in the middle of May ; also at Wingham, in Kent, 
and Enfield." (Curt., Gard. Chron., 1. c.) It is to this latter gall 
that the name of Q. pedunculi refers. Hartig first observed that the 
insects hatched from both galls are identical. Having found both kinds 
myself abundantly last spring on the same tree in this neighbourhood, 
and having reared the flies, I am enabled entirely to corroborate this 
